where is the best place to buy frag in dubai?

hi guys
does an one know where is the best place to buy fragrance (quality and price ) in dubai?
i am looking for top frag not popular appeal frag.
if any one knows any place in kish(iran) it would be a geat help too

Going to Dubai! where to go?

Hi guys,

I'm back in the middle east as some of you might know (yeah I'm deluded, thinking anybody pays attention to what I say). The middle east is a great place to be if you love perfumes, despite the fact I'm yet to meet a single good SA in here. I have been to Kuwait's Autumn Perfume exhibition, which was a little bit of a disappointment compared to last years. Mostly Eastern brands, and I've mentioned in a couple of threads before my huge disappointment with contemporary middle eastern creations. Nothing impressive, hell even the Guerlain section has only 2 or 3 of their private collection. Absolutely not worth a visit; well, at least Arabian oud had a 50% discount.

But, I'm going to Dubai in a week or two, for a very limited time, probably 3 days tops. And I was wondering where to head in there? So far I only have Wafi Mall on my list, maybe Dubai Mall to go to Hermes. I'm not sure what houses have boutiques in Dubai, or their official sellers. I'm mainly looking for MPG/Serge Lutens. I know Paris Gallery is their biggest luxury perfume store. I hope the one in Wafi Mall offers a large selection.

Also, anybody knows if Amouage are cheaper in the boutique? they cost $150 for 50ml/$180 for 100ml here in Kuwait. I'm not going to bother to take a trip to the boutique if it's no cheaper.

P.S.: Considering the Perfume Exhibition in Kuwait, if anybody is interested in something let me know. Almost All Arabian perfume houses, and obviously all types of oud, real Ambergris and even real deer musk (of varying qualities of course) are available oils along with the common middle eastern floral oils (Jasmine, Rose...etc) Only if you're serious please.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Volley2: Do you know the exact price of Amouage in their airport? I really don't like purchasing from airports since they usually don't bother giving you free goodies, I love receiving samples with purchases. Dubai Mall is my second choice after Wafi, since they have the hermes boutique.

mathewfoo: Yeah I'm really excited, sadly I'm getting the chance now when I'm broke due to moving. God I hate moving so much, so costly at every level imaginable. But I should be able to buy 2-5 niche bottles, afterall perfumes are cheaper in the middle east But that still means I'll have no money to eat for the next month, but that's not important now is it?

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by nsamadi

Amouage factory tour would be pretty sweet. The Le Labo city exclusive for Dubai should be in by December but it could be in a bit earlier.

I absolutely forgot about that. But doubt I'll have a chance to visit it, I'm going with family and they only want to go shopping. And yeah I've heard about the Le Labo exclusive Too bad the only one I'm craving is the Texas exclusive. But I'll ask about it, and make a review if it's available. It costs me less than a $100 to go to Dubai, so I don't mind going again in December, depending on how this first trip goes.

Thank you very much! they seem to be about the same as Kuwait. I'll probably make my purchase there if they're generous with samples, of course if I don't manage to spend all of my money in Paris Gallery. As far as I know, Dubai has many niche exclusives that are too exclusive for many of us to even hear about.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

And Dubai welcomes you Merci for the nice words. Let me know ahead of time so I can plan a good meet. Don't buy anything from Dubai Duty Free on your in. Wait and see the prices inside. I know some good vendors Paris Gallery has in-house boutiques of Amouage, Kilian, Le Labo and many others. The Guerlain exclusives are all here at PG/Harvey Nicks and Bloomingdales. You'll be stunned to see Dubai-exclusive Montale's and many others. Unfortunately, MPG is out of stock EVERYWHERE in Dubai now. The Dealer in Jebel Ali might have some. The Modernized Soir d'Orient (in the square white glass is still there at PG, nonetheless).

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

I would certainly visit Ajmal's flagship non-retail store in Deira. Even though its non-retail, they almost always have all of their collection in that store, and you can buy stuff from them as well. If you are into single oils, try out their Green Vetiver (Ruh Khus), Santal A, and their Dehn Al Oud. They used to source actual ambergris, however, don't know if they have those anymore or not. They are also known for their exotic Ambers, but be ready to pay a hefty price for it. If you search Basenotes, their Gazelle AA is sourght after as well, however, I personally cannot seem to wear that.
Either way, even if you are not into single oils, I would advise going there atleast once to sample some of them. The person behind the counter is very helpful as well, and knows the Dubai's fragrance market very well and will advise you further if you need any help. Best of luck.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by RSharma314

If you are into single oils, try out their Green Vetiver (Ruh Khus)

This is not vetiver It's the essence of lettuce. Comes in three degrees of purity. (ruh means the soul/very essence of - Khus is lettuce in Arabic) I like that smell but it's so difficult to manipulate and mingle with other elements.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by Killer_Vavoom

This is not vetiver It's the essence of lettuce. Comes in three degrees of purity. (ruh means the soul/very essence of - Khus is lettuce in Arabic) I like that smell but it's so difficult to manipulate and mingle with other elements.

No more genuine sandal wood anywhere in Dubai. Period.

No - Khus is Vetiver from India. Remember that the original owners of Ajmal were based out of India, and most of their oils are sourced out of India. The green Vetiver are distilled in copper vessels, and therefore gets its green colour (which is a different odour profile than the brown varity). The pure form of Ruh Vetiver fetches as much as the the rose oils from Biolandes.http://www.vetiver.com/ICV3-Proceedings/IND_vetoil.pdf

A couple of weeks back there was a shipment that was caught by the Indian government of geniune sandalwood powder disguised in wheat sacks that were about to leave for Dubai. You might not be able to get the first distilation of Sandalwood, however, you can easily get the second distilation of Sandalwood there (aka, white Sandalwood), which is also good for blending purposes.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by Killer_Vavoom

This is not vetiver It's the essence of lettuce. Comes in three degrees of purity. (ruh means the soul/very essence of - Khus is lettuce in Arabic) I like that smell but it's so difficult to manipulate and mingle with other elements.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by vinramani09

khus means Vetiver in Hindi/Persian

Khus (the seeds) are prohibited in Dubai. If caught with them, you're behind bars. Khus roots in Hindi means Vetiver is something I can't vouch for. It's referred to as *najeel* in the industry and it's considered class b an ingredient in Arabic perfume-making, and hence shunned. The *Ruh Khus* at issue is the essence of lettuce. I'm certain of this bit of info and vouch for it with impeccable certitude

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by Killer_Vavoom

Khus (the seeds) are prohibited in Dubai. If caught with them, you're behind bars. Khus roots in Hindi means Vetiver is something I can't vouch for. It's referred to as *najeel* in the industry and it's considered class b an ingredient in Arabic perfume-making, and hence shunned. The *Ruh Khus* at issue is the essence of lettuce. I'm certain of this bit of info and vouch for it with impeccable certitude

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by RSharma314

Khus might mean lettuce in arabic, however, Ruh Khus is undoubtly a Hindi/Persian name which means The Essence of Vetiver.

I can't argue about what it is in Hindi and will take your word for it, but the Dihn el kuhs that's sold at Ajamal (and quite many other vendors) in three degrees of purity is the oil essence of lettuce. We use it in some perfumes for its fixative properties. Nothing special about its smell. I have a lot of it it and smells nothing like vetiver (Haitian/Indonesian/Indian or whatever).

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Lol, it's cool guys, discussions are supposed to shift.

And yeah Killer_Vavoom, sounds really exciting. Good to hear guerlains exclusive are also available, I really want Double Vanille. And I'll try to give Ajmal a visit (especially to see what's this whole Khus fuss is all about). I've got like 5 bottles of the new Soir d'Orient (Ambre Dore), since I asked my mother to buy any bottle of vintage Ambre Precieux she see's when I was in Canada, and she bought that instead, as I told you I'm not sure how it compares to the original Soir d'Orient, but I think Ambre Precieux is still my favorite perfume.

Man so much good stuff in Dubai, at least if I can't afford everything I like, I'll get to try exclusives And do some ballsy sample begging, at least I hope they're more generous with samples than in Kuwait.

And I'm assuming all of Amouage Attars are available in Paris Gallery, right?

P.S.: I'll let you know ahead of time, of course, when I'm going to be there Killer_Vavoom, yet to decide on a date. But probably sometime in the upcoming next 2 weeks.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Amouage have their own boutique in Dubai Mall. They have all the oils. Paris Gallery in Dubai Mall also has an Amouge boutique.
Double Vanille is elegant but not the earth-shattering scent I was hoping for. Cool will tell you and show you lots when you come

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Finally a thread i can contribute to

Harvey Nichols and Paris Gallery ( Dubai mall ) have the Guerlain exclusive collection. I just came from there.
You can also find Le Labo , and comme DES garçons and by Killian exclusively in Paris Gallery.
Serge Lutens, Le Artisan Parfumer can be found at bloomingdales and Saks fifth Avenue.

We should definitely have a meet up when you're here. It'll be Fun with the 4 of us.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by CorruptedSanity

Finally a thread i can contribute to

Harvey Nichols and Paris Gallery ( Dubai mall ) have the Guerlain exclusive collection. I just came from there.
You can also find Le Labo , and comme DES garçons and by Killian exclusively in Paris Gallery.
Serge Lutens, Le Artisan Parfumer can be found at bloomingdales and Saks fifth Avenue.

We should definitely have a meet up when you're here. It'll be Fun with the 4 of us.

Sounds great. I would not mind a meet up, would be great. Sadly there's no reservations left on the day my family are going. So I'll probably just come in for one day from 8 am to 10 pm, no hotel or anything. So, I'll have to go through all the shops, and really decide on what I want to get and the best place to get it. Sadly I'm on a budget, but I do not want to miss the chance to at least have the perfume experience in Dubai while I'm in the middle east.

But hey, regardless, we can have a meet up if everyone agrees.

P.S. This just came to my mind, if I'm doing a one day only I'll only carry a backpack and carry-on luggage. Does Dubai airport have any liquid limits between there and Kuwait? I'm probably getting 2-4 bottles, and a handful of samples if I get lucky, that's, let's say, 500ml all together. It'd be a huge bummer if there's the typical 100ml limit but I don't want to spend money on a hotel either. But then again maybe I'll get lucky and find a reservation the same date as my family, free hotel room for the win.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Dubai sounds like a paradise for a perfume enthusiast. I'd love to visit the place some sunny day.

It seems that just about the only thing missing there is the SL bell jar collection.

Only for for Khaliji (Gulf/Arabic) perfumes. Dubai is still way behind Paris. Names like Keiko Mecheri, Patyka, and many many other houses are not there. Fredrick Malle's Edition de Parfums is an alien name 'round here. The British houses are nowhere to be found (excluding Penhaligon's).

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

RSharma, you are right. I stand corrected. I went to Ajmal yesterday to see about this mysterious vetiver oil (Khus) and it turned out to TOTALLY different from the base oil I was referring to by KHUS. The lettuce oil I argued about is like the jojoba and almond oils and has no distinct smell save for a vegetal note. And guess what--Ajamal's Khus is MARVELOUS to say the least. I bought it and am wearing it today. The vetiver is SO gorgeous in it. What a fantastic find \m/

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by Killer_Vavoom

RSharma, you are right. I stand corrected. I went to Ajmal yesterday to see about this mysterious vetiver oil (Khus) and it turned out to TOTALLY different from the base oil I was referring to by KHUS. The lettuce oil I argued about is like the jojoba and almond oils and has no distinct smell save for a vegetal note. And guess what--Ajamal's Khus is MARVELOUS to say the least. I bought it and am wearing it today. The vetiver is SO gorgeous in it. What a fantastic find \m/

Glad I could help :-) Ajmal's Ruh Khus is one of my favourite single note oils as well. You need a tad bit, and it goes a long way. I swiped some on a napkin, and three months later, I can still smell the powdery/woody base note.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by Killer_Vavoom

Only for for Khaliji (Gulf/Arabic) perfumes. Dubai is still way behind Paris. Names like Keiko Mecheri, Patyka, and many many other houses are not there. Fredrick Malle's Edition de Parfums is an alien name 'round here. The British houses are nowhere to be found (excluding Penhaligon's).

Riyadh in Saudi is the number one perfume city in the middle east.

Yeah, except who wants to visit the KSA for real? No offense to anyone from there, but there laws are tough on everything, you can't even bring a foreign book in there without being questioned.

I'm tempted to go there to see if Frederic Malle is any cheaper, you can tell by now I'm a deal hunter

Oh and I wish SL Bell Jars are available outside of Paris. They look so pretty, and I've heard they smell better as well. Seriously 50ml of Serge Lutens is way too little, I used 10ml of Chergui in a week.

Re: Going to Dubai! where to go?

Originally Posted by Ekove

I'm tempted to go there to see if Frederic Malle is any cheaper, you can tell by now I'm a deal hunter

It's almost impossible for you to visit here unless you are a citizen of one of the other Gulf countries or get a visa for religious purposes or are invited here by the government for official or business reasons.

KSA is like Kuwait, only worse.;-) Not worth visiting IMO. But perfumes generally do cost less than than many other places.